Spreading device for concrete form work



Feb. 12, 1935. E. P. MUNTZ 1,991,256

SPREADING DEVICE FOR CONCRETE FORM WORK Filed Sept. 6, 1935 2 Sheets Sheet 1 .ll luentcnr E1711: P. 'lTLunlI z E. P. MUNTZ SPREADING DEVICE FOR CONCRETE FORM WORK Filed Sept. 6, 1933 Feb. 12, 1935.

Patented Feb. 12, 1935 UNITED STATES SPREADING-DEVIOE FOB. ,oonoRE'rE FORM I W RK Eric Percival Muntz, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Application September 6, 1933, Serial No. 688,310

' B Claims. .(o 25 1s1) This invention relates to improvements in spreading devices for concrete form work, and is more particularly designed for use in conjunction with transverse tie rods such as are 5 used for retaining form panel structures against outward movement in relation to one another, and the object of my invention is to furnish spacer members mounted upon the tie rods for retaining the form panel structuresagainst inward movement towards one another. A further object of my invention is to provide readily detachable 'neans engaging both the spacer members andthe form panel structures for retaining the form panel structures in their adjusted positions.

Another particular object of my invention is to furnish the tie rods of sufficient length exteriorly of the form panels whereby the spacer members can be released and slid outwardlyclear of the form as the concrete approaches the spacer level. I

-With these and other objects in view,'my invention further consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts all as hereinafter more particularly described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig.' l is a transverse cross-sectional view througha fragmentary portion of concrete wall form work, showing my spacer nemb'ers positioned between the form structures, above the concrete level in the form. Fig. 2 is a similar view to Figure 1, showing my spacer members released and slid outwardly out of the form, and the poured concreteabove and surrounding the tie rod.

Fig. 3is a fragmentary plan view ofa portion ofthe form as shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of my spacer members, showing it carried upon a portion of a tie rod.

, Fig. 5 is a perspective View of a slotted wedge as furnished for engaging the outer end of a spreader andtheior'm work structure;

Fig. 6 is a transvers je cross ,sectionalyiew through a fragmentary portion of concrete wall form work showing theuse of an alternative form of spreading device used in conjunction therewith, and v I Fig. -'7 is a similar view-to Figure 6 showing such spreading device partially removed.

-Like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in .the different views in the drawings;

:-As .will be understoodbynthose conversant-with the art, .concrete form work .generally "comprises pairs of form panelsl between which the concrete 2 is'poured, the form panels being securedto suitably positioned spaced apart vertical studs 3,- the studs in turn being retained in their spaced apart relation by a series of h'o rizontal walings 4 which extend across the outer or exposed faces of thestuds.

The form panels and their supportingstructures, i. e. the studs-and walings, may'besupported and retained in'their spaced apart relation by one of the several types of tying devices in commercial use or merely by carpentry work wherein wooden'filler pieces are inserted between i the form panels for retainingthen 'in their spaced apart relation and wooden-inclined-braces secured -to the studsfor retaining the form panel structures against outward movement.

While satisfactory .means comprising either special devices or carpentry work'have been devised for retaining" form panel structure's against movement away from one another under the weight of the poured concrete, themostcommon method for retaining the ram panel' structuresagainst inward movementtowards oneanother has been the provision of wooden spreaders inserted between the form panels. These Wooden spreaders are removed 1 as th'e poured concrete reaches their level, and it will be readily seen that in cases where a deep wall is being poured or in cases where thereis a complicated term structure, that the removal of wooden spreaders involves considerable time and labor, and is also attimes a very a kward operation; To overcome the necessity of removing the Spreaders, metal spreaders are sometimes used and are left embedded in the concrete, andunder certainconditions this practice is satisfactory, though of, coursethe Spreaders are'lost, thus adding to ,theexpenseof :the .job.

Under .conditi ons however v wherein the concrete is tobeexposed to Waterit isnot practicable to leave the metal spreaders in the concrete as 'beyondthe studs't and walings '4 wherein one outer end is furnished with a head '7 and plate 8 engaging the outer side faces of one pair of walings 4 and the other end furnished with a clamp 9 and plate 10 engaging the outer side faces of another pair of walings 4. The rod is primarily furnished for retaining the form panel structures against outward movement in respect to one another.

The tie rod 5 also carries two or more of my tubular spreader members 11 which extend through the orifices 6 in the form panels about the tie rod and are of such a length that when their inner ends abut as shown in Figure 1,

their outer ends are in the vicinity of the inner side faces of the walings 4 though not on a level therewith.

To utilize my spreaders as a means for preventing inward movement of the form panel structures, I provide a pair of wedges 12 having slots 13 extending inwardly through their thin ends. The wedges are inserted between the ends of the spreader members 11 and the inner side faces of the walings 4 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the tie rod 5 entering the slot 13. By driving the wedges down the whole form assembly is secured against inward or outward movement, and as in some cases it may be found desirable to adjust the relationship between the wedges and the spreaders before finally positioning the clamp 9 upon the rod, I form the wedges with holes 14 through which nails can be driven into the waling so that the wedges can be retained in any desired adjustment. The ends 15 of the spreader members are inclined with a corresponding inclination to that of the wedge faces.

The concrete is poured into the form in the usual manner and as it approaches a spacer assembly as shown in Figure 1 the wedges 12 are removed and the spacer members 11 slid outwardly along the tie rod until they are clear of the concrete receiving interior of the form, and as they are a comparatively good fit in the orifices 6 they are so positioned that their inner ends 15 lie flush with the inner faces 16 of the form panels thus closing the orifices 6 against entry of the concrete. When the cement is set, but still green not yet having obtained more than self supporting strength, the clamp 9 is loosened to take the tension off the tie rod 5 and the tie rod given a twist to break its bond with the concrete so that it; can be removed. When the concrete is set and the form work removed, the orifices left by the tie rods are suitably filled. As I prefer to use carbon steel-wire of high tensional strength as tie rods, this wire is of comparatively small diameter, leaving very small holes to be filled.

Upon reference to Figures 1 and 2 it will be perceived that in order to permit the removal of the spreader members 11 from the concrete receiving form that such members are not of greater length than the combined widths of a stud and waling as, of course, the spreader members cannot be moved outwardly any further than the plates 8 and 10 bearing against the outer side faces of the walings. As the combined width of a stud and waling is generally in the vicinity? of about a foot and as the spreader sections extend outwardly through the form panels as far as the inner edges of the walings it will be understood that with walings and studs of approximately 6 inch widths it is only possible to pour a wall about a foot thick and at the same time remove the spreaders. In cases where it is desired to pour a wall of greater width, a center spreader is used, against the ends of which the spreaders .11 abut, the center spreader being of such a length to permit the removal of the spreader members 11 in the manner shown, and this center spreader is left upon the tie wire and embedded in the concrete, but as it is necessarily of less width than the thickness of the concrete wall its ends are not exposed.

In Figures 6 and 7, I show an alternative construction of my device wherein I dispense with the tubular spreader members 11 and wedges 12,

as previously described, and substitute a pair of rod clamps 1'7 in lieu thereof. These clamps are adapted to be slidably positioned upon a cross rod 18 correspondingly positioned to the tie rods 5 and can be of any suitable construction, as for example the construction shown in my United States Patent Number 1,910,121, dated May 23rd 1933, wherein exterior adjusting handles '19 are furnished for moving the clamp jaws into gripping engagement with a contained rod.

In my alternative construction, the orifices 20 in the panels are-only of sufiicient diameter to receive the rod 18 and the clamps are positioned upon the rod between the panels 1 and the inner side faces of the walings 4. Suitable plates 21 are positioned upon the rod between the clamps and the waling faces.

When the form panel structures are positioned in their correct spaced apart relation the clamps and plates, 17 and 21, are slid into position in engagement with the side faces of the walings and the clamps are then tightened to grip the rod. When this is done the form panel structures are retained against movement towards one another as the clamps constitute stops upon the rod.

When the poured concrete approaches the level of one of these spacing devices, as illustrated in Figure 6, the clamps are loosened upon the rod and the rod is pulled out, and first one clamp removed and then the other as illustrated in Figure 7. If it is so desired, the rod 18 may be submerged in the poured concrete and the clamps left undisturbed until the concrete has set to a self supporting strength, when .one of the clamps is loosened and the rod given a partial twist through the medium of the other clamp to break the bond between the concrete and the rod, after which the rod can be pulled from out of the form.

Although I have illustrated and described my spreading device as used in conjunction with a tie rod and also with a form structure for the pouring of concrete walls, it will be appreciated that it is not my intention to confine my invention to use with tie rods or in the forming of concrete walls, but that it has many other applications where it can be advantageously used and that I may make such changes and alterations in my construction to suit varying conditions without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In concrete form work, the combination with a pair of form panels and exterior supporting structures therefor forming the two side assemblies of the form and a rod extending through orifices in the panels from supporting structure to supporting structure, of a spacer member slidably mounted upon the rod for retaining the form panel structures apart, and

releasable means engaging one of the form panel structures and the spacer member for retaining the spacer member against sliding movement on the rod.

2. In concrete form work, the combination with a pair of form panels and exterior sup porting structures therefor forming the two side assemblies of the form and a rod extending through orifices in the panels from supporting structure to supporting structure, of a pair of substantially tubular spacer members slidably mounted upon the rod and projecting through the rod orifices in the form panels to abut and retain the form panel structures apart, and releasable means engaging the portions of the spacer members protruding from the outer faces of the form panels and also the form panel structures for retaining the spacer members against outward sliding movement on the rod.

3. In concrete form work, the combination with a pair of form panels and exterior supporting structures therefor forming the two side assemblies of the form and a rod extending through orifices in the panels from supporting structure to supporting structure, of a plurality of substantially tubular spacer members slidably mounted upon the rod both interiorly of and exteriorly of the form panels to retain the form panel structures apart, and releasable means engaging the portions of the spacer members protruding from the outer faces of the form panels and also the form panel structures for retaining the spacer members against outward sliding movement on the rod.

4. In concrete form work, the combination with a pair of form panels and supporting studs and walings therefor and a rod extending across the form through orifices in the form panels and having its outer ends secured to the walings, of a plurality of substantially tubular spacer members slidably mounted on the rod both interiorly of and exteriorly of the form panels to retain the form panel structures apart, and releasable means engaging the portions of the spacer members protruding from the outer faces of the form panels and also engaging the walings for retaining the spacer members against outward sliding movement on the rod.

5. In concrete form work, the combination with a pair of form panels and exterior supporting structures therefor forming the two side assemblies of the form and a rod extending through orifices in the panels from supporting structure to supporting structure, of a spacer member slidably mounted upon the rod for retaining the form panels apart, and a wedge adapted to be inserted between the form panel structure andvthe end of the spacer member for retaining the spacer member against sliding movement on the rod.

6. In concrete form work, the combination with a pair of form panels and exterior supporting structures therefor forming the two side assemblies of the form and a rod. extending through orifices in the panels from supporting structure to supporting structure, of a spacer member slidably mounted upon the rod for retaining the form panels apart, and a wedge having an open ended slot therein for the reception of the rod and adapted to be inserted between the form panel structure and the end of the spacer member for retaining the spacer member against sliding movement on the rod.

7. In concrete form work, the combination with a pair of form panels and supporting studs and walings therefor and a rod extending across the form through orifices in the form panels and having its outer ends secured to the walings, of a plurality of substantially tubular spacer members slidably mounted on the rod both in- .teriorly of and exteriorly of the form panels to retain the form panel structures apart, and a pair of wedges adapted to be inserted between the protruding ends of the spacer members and the sides of the walings for retaining the spacer members against outward sliding movement on the rod. g

8. A form structure spacer assembly comprising a rod adapted to extend across a form, a pluralityv of substantially tubular spacer members slidably receivedupon the rod, and a pair of adjustable form structureengaging members against which the ends of the spacer members abut.

9. A form structure spacer assembly comprising a rod adapted to extend across a form, a plurality of substantially tubular spacer members slidably received upon the rod, and a pair ofform structure engaging wedge members adapted to be positioned about the rod and against whichthe ends of the spacer members abut.

ERIC PERCIVAL MUNTZ. 

